Ordering Prom Dresses from Overseas Auction Sellers: Five Things You need To Know

Browse online auction sites and you’re sure to be amazed by the number of bargain prom dresses being advertised. However many people fail to factor in shipping charges, customs duty and VAT before purchasing a gown and end up with a prom dress which costs more than they expected. In addition to this, buying overseas may make it harder to get a refund if you receive a gown that does not match the description.

The purpose of this article is to highlight some of the things to bear in mind when buying prom dresses from overseas auction site sellers.

1. They may be making money on the shipping charge, not the purchase price

Does the price of the gown seem too good to be true? Many sellers offer a very low price on prom dresses and make their money from charging very high shipping charges. They do this because they know that many consumers will focus on the purchase price, treating the shipping price as an incidental cost. In some cases, by the time you’ve added on shipping costs, you can end up paying more than three times as much as you expected.

What to do: Many people focus on the bargain purchase price and try to put the postage price out of their mind. When ordering a prom dress from overseas the cost of shipping becomes part of your cost of purchasing the item. Always check the postage price and calculate the total amount that ordering this dress will cost you before making the decision to buy.

2. Overseas Prom Dresses will cost you 30% more than you think

If you’re importing a prom dress into the UK from a county outside of Europe you will be charged VAT and Customs Duty by HMRC if the amount you pay (for the item, shipping included) is over £70. VAT and Customs Duty are calculated based on the shipping and purchase cost. Once added on these taxes will normally increase the price of prom dresses by around 30%. This means if you pay £50 for the dress and £70 for delivery the total you will end up paying will not just be £120, it will be close to £160.

What to do: Contact HMRC for advice on how to work out the VAT and customs prom dresses attract.

So let’s say you receive a gown and wish to return it. What are your options with regards to prom dresses which don’t fit or dosn’t meet their descriptions?

3. It will cost you money to return the Dress

If the seller agrees to let you return your prom gown then don’t forget that you’ll be the one who has to pay out for international postage to send it back to them.

What to do: Ensure that you bear this risk in mind when purchasing your gown.

4. You may find UK law unenforceable

What happens if the factory refuses to allow you to return an item? If you were buying from a UK seller you have the options of contacting Trading Standards or taking the seller to small claims court. However, while UK law is enforceable in the UK, you may find it very difficult to enforce if you’ve bought prom dresses overseas.

What to do: Be aware of the risks involved; the greatest protection you have are therefore the threat of negative feedback or using a protected payment method.

5. Raising a dispute may not be successful.

If worse comes to worst and the seller won’t refund your money for a dress which doesn’t match the description then you have two options. You can either threaten the seller with negative feedback or (if you’ve used a secure payment method) you can raise a dispute. However do bear in mind that such disputes are often difficult to settle and it is by no means a guarantee that you will definitely get your money back.

Buying prom dresses overseas from online auction sellers not only has hidden customs and VAT costs, it also has inherent risks. Be aware that buying abroad often means paying high shipping costs, customs duty, VAT and can affect your ability to return an item with which you are not satisfied. With this in mind you will be in a position to make an informed position about whether the costs and risks involved in buying from an overseas seller make it a good option for you

Bargain Prom Dresses : Don’t Get Caught Out

Each year hundreds of girls fall victim to dubious overseas companies selling prom dresses through auction sites. Originally tempted by amazing prices, girls encounter disappointments ranging from a prom gown being the wrong colour to receiving an appalling quality dress that looks nothing like the photo.

Understanding the risks

So why can buying prom dresses on auction sites be such a risky business? It all comes down to the nature of the item. Prom dresses are complex and delicate items of clothing. Reputable prom brands only work with factories that have the necessary skills, equipment and expertise to make prom gowns. However, some auction site sellers will list prom gowns even though their factory doesn’t have the skills necessary to make them. The result is a dress that looks shabbily made and fits poorly.

Quality control is also major an issue in many factories. While reputable brands are able to ensure the quality of their prom dresses, some auction sellers are not. Buyers do not just risk of an ill-fitting dress; they receive one that literally falls apart.

In some cases a seller will have the best intentions to copy the prom gown in the photo they simply may not have the skill to do a half-decent copy. In the very worst cases sellers have no intention of delivering a prom dress that looks like the photograph.

What can I do?

Here are some questions that you should ask yourself when browsing prom dresses on auction sites:

Are the prom dress photos the sellers own?

Some sellers will use photos of a brand’s prom dresses even though they have no connection whatsoever to that brand. It’s usually easy to spot if your familiar with the brand’s collections.

You should seriously question buying from a company who tries to pass other brand’s photos off as their own. You should ask yourself why they aren’t using their own photos.

Has the photo been edited?

It’s also worth baring in mind that, even if the photos appear to be the sellers own, some sellers rely heavily on digital image manipulation. Take a close look at the seller’s photos and you may be able to spot some of the tell tale signs such as: the dress has been cut out of another photo.

What are you expecting?

People browsing auction sites often get very excited about the low price prom dresses being offered. But the old adage is true; you get what you pay for.
If you decide to buy a copy of your dream dress, don’t get your hopes up that it will look like the original. Differences in materials and skill ensure that, even in the best cases, copied prom dresses don’t look (or fit) like originals.

So next time you’re browsing prom dresses, take a moment to think about the deal on offer and the risks involved. Don’t fall victim to unscrupulous sellers who will turn your night to remember into a night to forget.

Prom Dresses – How to choose your prom dress

Browsing prom dresses on the internet is fun, but its also a serious sport! Your school prom is your first chance to really (and we mean, really) dress up and turn heads in a crowded room. If you’ve seen Cinderella Story then you’ll know exactly what we mean! 

Unlike Hilary Duff, you may not have an actual spotlight shining on you when you enter your prom. However, wear the right dress and you’ll feel like you do.

So how are you going to choose the right prom dress? With so many prom dresses to choose from, here are a few criteria to help you find the right dress:

1. Choose your style

Firstly you need to work out your style. Prom Dresses fall under four main style groups:

-       princess dresses/ball gowns

-       satin ‘slinky’ dresses

-       fitted evening dresses

-       short dresses

Princess dresses/ball gowns are a fantastic choice as prom is one of the rare occasions you’ll ever get to wear one (and wearing one feels amazing!).

Satin ‘slinky’ dresses and fitted evening dresses are flattering and figure hugging and can often be worn again.

Short dresses are great for showing off your legs, but are a less formal and so are often less awe-inspiring.

2. Look for a gorgeous, unique design

Firstly, we have the most obvious criteria: a gorgeous design. This is really a matter of taste and comes down to your own preferences. As far as finding a unique dress, as a general rule the more exclusive labels have a stronger design focus which often means their designs are more unique and original.

3. Find the right colour

You may be picking prom dresses based on your favorite colour, or the colour that you know suits you most. The best idea is to strike a balance between a colour you love and a colour that looks great on you.

As a general rule:

-       Dark colours such as navy and black look sophisticated and are slimming.

-       Bright colours such as pink and coral are bright and fun and will definitely get you noticed (red is the ultimate colour if you want to get noticed).

-       Pastel colours such as light pink and light blue look fresh and radiant.

4. Get Great fit

A really good prom dress does more than just look nice on the hanger. It is cut to fit perfectly and includes and internal corset to give you a perfect shape. If you’ve only tried on prom dresses under £250 so far then you’ve really missed out!  Trying on a high quality prom dress (usually prom  dresses costing £250 or more) for the first time can be an amazing experience. It will give your body the shape you’ve dreamed off. That’s because when you pay over £250 you really will get what you pay for. 

5. Look for Amazing Material and Details

Design is one thing, but it’s the material and beading which can really be make or break. More exclusive brands use more expensive, more luxurious materials and it really shows. A sumptuous satin looks a million times better than a cheap satin. And as for beading, high quality rhinestones add a sparkle which you just don’t get from lower quality replicas. 

Now you know what to look for when shopping for prom dresses, its time to talk about budgets! You may have noticed that price is mentioned a few times above. This is because, as with most things, you really do get what you pay for in terms of design, materials and fit. 

If your budget will stretch to a dress in the £250 plus bracket then don’t try and save money by buying a cheaper dress. These prom dresses may look okay in the manufacturer’s photos, but they simply don’t compare to more exclusive prom dresses when you actually wear them. The most exclusive brands, like Prom Royalty, charge between £250-£350 for a ball gown – which is well worth it if you are looking for a really special prom dress. Trust us; as soon as you arrive at prom you’ll see the difference between the girls who bought cheap, and the girls who paid a little more for something really special.

Finally, make sure you ask the opinion of someone who is as dedicated to making you look great as you are. Ask this person to give you their honest opinion (and don’t be offended by their honesty when they do!).

Our own label, Prom Royalty, offers a range of unique luxury prom dresses. Shop for Prom Dresses now at www.promroyalty.com.